Senate Concurrent Resolution 519

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PEARL RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM AND COACH OF THE YEAR TIM HATTEN FOR THE "WILDCATS" 2004 NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

WHEREAS, Pearl River Community College is now the undisputed NJCAA National Football Champion after its convincing 35-14 victory over the defending champion Butler County (Kansas) Grizzlies in the Dalton Defenders Bowl; and

WHEREAS, the Wildcats, who repeated as state champions with a 24-13 win over Hinds Community College in Poplarville, Mississippi, left little doubt about the superiority of the MACJC over Kansas' league in 2004; and

WHEREAS, Pearl River, which won its only other national title in 1961 under legendary Coach Dobie Holden, extended its winning stretch to 19 games; and

WHEREAS, Coach Tim Hatten has been named Coach of the Year by the American Community College Football Coaches Association, and Wildcats Quarterback Jimmy Oliver has been honored as the NJCAA's offensive player of the year. Coach Hatten has an overall record of 29-4, with two MACJC titles in three years in Poplarville; and

WHEREAS, the only time Pearl River Community College won a national championship in football, John F. Kennedy was in his first year as President. Forty-three years have passed since the 1961 Wildcats breezed through their schedule to a 10-0 record, winning a state championship and finishing the year as the No. 1 team in the country, T.D. "Dobie" Holden was the Head Coach at that time. A picture of that team hangs in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson. Pearl River Community College was called Pearl River Junior College back then. The team played its home games on a field in the middle of the campus, today used mostly for band practice and intramural sports. The concrete bleachers still stand as a reminder of past glory; and

WHEREAS, Pearl River Community College's athletic tradition spans most of this century and includes some of the prominent and memorable sports figures, athletes and coaches. During the early years, Pearl River was the first, in fact the only, junior college to compete in athletics. In over 77 years of football, the Wildcats have won or tied nearly 70% of the games they have played. PRCC football teams have scored over 12,300 points, while allowing only 6,950, and "The River" has recorded 13 undefeated regular seasons and a record 14 state championships; and

WHEREAS, the 2004 championship roster is as follows: Larry Brackins, Josh Barnes, Tim Kulikowski, Glentrelle Ware, Jacob Garber, Jimmy Oliver, Nick Golden, Brian Graham, Gene Coleman, Charles Brown, Sam Thomas, Brandon Fountain, Levance Richmond, Kyle Sellers, Julian McGowan, Shalamar Walker, Sandy Ray Collins, Gabe Fairman, Mike McClendon, George Leverette, Artez McLaughlin, Bernard Smith, Charles Hawkins, Marcus Thomas, Ervin Jackson, Chris St. John, Lawrence Atkinson, Chris Lowery, Perry Guinn, Kenneth McBeath, Edjuan Williamson, Kenny Lawler, Michael Loftin, Johnny Berry, Kevin Oatis, Alex Davis, Adam Purvis, Tanner Graves, Matt Lott, Brad Steube, Ryan Sefton, Scotty Dunn, Steven Pahlman, Reggie Keyes, Wyatt Tatum, Vince Strickland, James Hollingsworth, Doug Dubuisson, Ladean Byrd, Chris Milner, James Carter, Frank Harry, Ben McGilton and Marcus Crosby; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the singular achievement of these student athletes who have brought honor to their college, their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Pearl River Community College "Wildcats" football team and Coach of the Year Tim Hatten for winning the undisputed 2004 National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship, and extend to the team the best wishes of the Legislature for future athletic and academic success.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the 2004 Wildcats Football Team and college President, Dr. William Lewis, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.